diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index e2c6c17e..b9fc8d2d 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -85,12 +85,12 @@ endif()
 # OVS build mode #
 ##################
 
-set_property(CACHE P4OVS_MODE PROPERTY STRINGS
-    "NONE;P4OVS;OVSP4RT;STUBS")
-
 set(P4OVS_MODE "p4ovs" CACHE STRING "P4OVS build mode")
 string(TOLOWER "${P4OVS_MODE}" P4OVS_MODE)
 
+set_property(CACHE P4OVS_MODE PROPERTY STRINGS
+    "NONE;P4OVS;OVSP4RT;STUBS")
+
 if(NOT WITH_OVSP4RT OR P4OVS_MODE STREQUAL "none")
     unset(WITH_OVSP4RT)
     set(WITH_OVSP4RT OFF CACHE STRING "" FORCE)